Poetry Forms, Sounds, & Symbols

Part 1.  (2 points)  Alliterative Tongue Twisters

ｷAlliteration is when two or more words share the same initial sound

o  Ex. “Down and Dirty”

ｷWhen you string a bunch of alliteration together, you get a tongue twister.

o  Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Part 1 Directions: Write an original alliteration tongue twister that incorporates at least five alliterations with the same initial sound. 

Part 2.  (2 points)  Limerick

Write a limerick, a five line poem that follows the rhyme scheme A A B B A, in which the “A” lines are eight or nine syllables and the “B” lines are six syllables.  See three different examples below:  

There once was a gray poodle named Spark.            (A= "ark," 9 syllables long)

 Quite talkative, he so liked to bark.                            (A= "ark," 9 syllables long)

 Sometimes running he found                                     (B= "ound," 6 syllables long)  

 His feet all off the ground                                           (B= "ound," 6 syllables long)

 Especially on "walks" in the park.                               (A= "ark," 9 syllables long)

There once was a girl who loved rhyme;

 She felt her writing was sublime.

 Indeed quite a poet,

 Though some didn't know it,

 She'd be rich if each paid a dime.

There was a mean clown in the circus.

 For fun he would push us and jerk us.

 He would hit us with pies

 That left cream in our eyes.

 His act never once failed to irk us.

 

Part 3.  (3 points)  Poetry Out Loud

Watch the video about Poetry Out Loud.  As you watch, write down at least five notes about the video.  Then, answer the following questions:  Do you think this program will encourage more people to become interested in poetry?  Why (not)?  Would you ever consider competing in a Poetry Out Loud competition?  Why (not)?  (1 point)
Watch at least two of the Poetry Out Loud recitations.  Write a reaction to these two videos in which you comment on the poem itself (the meaning and/or literary devices) as well as the reader's delivery of the poem.  (2 points)

Part 4.  (3 points)  Color Poem

Colors can give your poems some symbolic significance through the different connotations that we associate with colors.  Examine the following chart that outlines some color symbolism.  You can also read some poems that make use of color symbolism.  Then, write at least seven lines of poetry (this can be one or more poems, but there must be at least ten lines of poetry total) that use at least two colors to convey symbolic meaning and tone. Please note, you can also play with different words for the same color (for example: red, scarlet, vermilion, crimson, rusty, cherry, burgundy and ruby may all carry different connotations). 

Color Symbolism Chart
	Excitement, energy, passion, love, desire, speed, strength, power, heat, aggression, danger, fire, blood, war, violence, all things intense and passionate.
	Pink symbolizes love and romance, caring, tenderness, acceptance and calm.
	Beige and ivory symbolize unification. Ivory symbolizes quiet and pleasantness. Beige symbolizes calm and simplicity.
	Joy, happiness, betrayal, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard and friendship.
	Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, stability, harmony, unity, trust, truth, confidence, conservatism, security, cleanliness, order, loyalty, sky, water, technology, depression, appetite suppressant.
	Turquoise symbolizes calm. Teal symbolizes sophistication. Aquamarine symbolizes water. Lighter turquoise has a feminine appeal.
	Royalty, nobility, spirituality, ceremony, mysterious, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning.
	Lavender symbolizes femininity, grace and elegance.
	Energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrant, expansive, flamboyant, demanding of attention.
	Nature, environment, healthy, good luck, renewal, youth, spring, generosity, fertility, jealousy, inexperience, envy, misfortune, vigor.
	Earth, stability, hearth, home, outdoors, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, and comfort.
	Security, reliability, intelligence, staid, modesty, dignity, maturity, solid, conservative, practical, old age, sadness, boring. Silver symbolizes calm.
	Reverence, purity, birth, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, precision, innocence, youth, winter, snow, good, sterility, marriage (Western cultures), death (Eastern cultures), cold, clinical.
	Power, sexuality, sophistication, formality, elegance, wealth, mystery, fear, evil, unhappiness, depth, style, evil, sadness, remorse, anger, anonymity, underground, good technical color, mourning, death (Western cultures).